WEST LAKELAND TOWNSHIP
January 13, 2014 7:00 p.m. Oak-Land Jr. High School
Present: Chairman Dan Kyllo, Supervisor Steven Ebner, Supervisor Dave Schultz, Ms. Sue Agrimson, Township Clerk; Ms. Marsha Olson, Township Treasurer; Mr. Scott McDonald, Township Attorney; Mr. Ryan Stempski, Township Engineer, Mr. Dave Dupay, Planning Commission Chair; Mr. Duane Stensland, Building Inspector
Call to Order:
Chairman Kyllo called to order the January 2014 regular meeting at 7:06 PM.
Approve the Minutes
Supervisor Schultz, seconded by Supervisor Ebner, moved to approve the minutes of the December 2013 regular meeting, with minor corrections. The motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report
Ms. Olson presented the treasurer’s report for December 2013. The report reflects $216,000 in receipts, of which $205,000 was property tax receipts. The report reflected expenses of $41,000. The current assets at the end of the month are $1,214,000. Ms. Olson noted three CD’s came due, two rolled over and one relocated from US Bank to Lake Area Bank. Supervisor Ebner moved to approve the report as presented. Seconded by Supervisor Schultz, the motion carried.
Review and Pay Invoices
Supervisor Ebner moved to approve the invoices as presented. Seconded by Supervisor Schultz, the motion carried.
Recycling Contract Renewal, December 2014
The board in the past discussed an option to solicit bids for the recycling services for the Township beginning in January 2015. It was agreed to solicit bids for a three year contact, using a sealed bid process. Supervisor Ebner will work with Washington County staff for additional support and resources
Tom and Grace Fix, 1975 Quant Ave N, Building Permit Request
Chairman Kyllo was contacted by Mr. Tom Fix, 1975 Quant Avenue, with his desire to demolish and rebuild the residence. Washington County and the DNR do not support the proposed structure. There is a disagreement if the variance granted in 1986 allows the desired structure. The variance does not indicate any language regarding the size of the structure. West Lakeland’s variance provided for creating a lot without frontage. It was recommended that the township meet with Washington County staff to understand the issues and concerns before moving forward. Washington County does have jurisdiction with West Lakeland over zoning. Mr. McDonald noted that West Lakeland does not have a specific bluffline ordinance. It was also asked of Mr. McDonald to investigate the terms of the variance, and if it follows the land, the structure, or the property owner.
Supervisor Ebner moved to authorize a meeting with township supervisors and Washington County staff, and to allow legal consult for the variance. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Schultz, and passed.
Building Permit Fees
In response to a request from the builder’s association, Chairman Kyllo brought comparisons of West Lakeland’s building fee schedule to those of other neighboring communities. With the slowing growth in the township, the relative revenue for the township and the building inspector is different than in previous years. Supervisor Schultz moved to review and recommend an update to the building fee schedule to the Planning Commission. Seconded by Supervisor Ebner, the motion passed.
Snowplow issues
Supervisor Schultz noted to the board a receipt of a letter from a resident regarding the speed and safe operation of snow plows in the township. Supervisor Schultz noted that with the last ride along with the plow driver, the plow was operated at a slow speed and in a safe manner. Chairman Kyllo will draft a letternothing context of the complaint to Miller Excavation, the contractor providing snow plow services.
Manning Trail Update
Mr. Stempski noted that Lake Elmo is looking to repair Manning Trail. There is approximately 368 feet of Manning Trail in West Lakeland in the same state of disrepair. Lake Elmo is assessing landowners for a share of the repair cost, and would ask West Lakeland carry the same level of assessment for the properties in West Lakeland along that section of road. The preliminary assessment is $3200 per property. West Lakeland is also being asked to provide for the share of engineering and construction costs for the 368 feet in West Lakeland. The project is for a rebuild, creating a road with a 9 ton road strength, with gravel shoulders and draintile. The total project cost is estimated at $441,000, and will go for bid in the spring. West Lakeland’s share of the cost is estimated at $53,000, or $63,000 with the assessment for the properties in West Lakeland.
This was not budgeted work for 2014, so the board discussed delaying seal coating to allow for this project to move forward with the funds in the Road and Bridge fund. The road repair for the section in West Lakeland is most economical to be done as part of the larger Lake Elmo project. The board agreed to absorb the assessments, as it is not currently standard procedure to assess residents for road repair.
Chairman Kyllo moved to approve a joint venture to repair Manning Trail North with Lake Elmo, and to adopt the assessment cost for the three properties in West Lakeland Township for an approximate cost of $63,000. Seconded by Supervisor Schultz, the motion carried. Mr. Stempski will prepare a draft of the joint venture agreement.
Ordinance for permits for living in temporary mobile units on personal property
In December, the board discussed a complaint by a resident, indicating that persons were living in recreational vehicles in the township. A letter was sent to the property owner, with no response. The issue is not one of a lack of an ordinance. It is already prohibited to use a recreational vehicle as a residence, but the difficulty in validating the compliant. Specific evidence is needed to enforce the ordinance. Chairman Kyllo will contact the resident who initially voiced the concern.
Additional Business
A request for a home occupation permit was brought forward, and tabled until the February meeting to allow the board to confirm some specifics of the request.
The Town Board budget workshop was set for February 5, 2014 at 10:00 AM.
The resolution approving the conditional use permit to keep 4 horses on 4 grazeable acres for James and Amy Zuccone was presented to the board for signature.
The resolution approving the variance for Rhett and Veronica Ahrens and David and Karen Blekum was presented for signature. It was noted a correction was required. Supervisor Schultz moved to authorize the chairman to sign the resolution outside the formal meeting after the corrections were completed. Seconded by Supervisor Schultz, the motion carried. Mr. McDonald will file the notice of vacation of the easements.
The regular meeting for March will be held on March 3, 2014, to allow for the annual town meeting on March 11, 2014.
Township Residents Comments
Brian Krafthefer made comments regarding persons walking on the road. He noted that pedestrians are becoming more and more inclined to take over an entire lane, and not move out of the way of vehicle traffic. The board agreed to address safely walking on township roads in the next newsletter.
Adjourn
Chairman Kyllo moved, seconded by Supervisor Schultz to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried. Chairman Kyllo adjourned the meeting at 10:00 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Elizabeth Vance
Deputy Clerk
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